this blog is where i, kylah, try to memorize the happenings in my life as wife and stay-at-home-mama to the wonderful kotze boys. depending on the day, my life can be full, funny, ridiculous or just down right boring. regardless of how it happens, i think it's worth remembering here.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

3 months old! wow! how on earth can you be 3 months old?!?!?! you've done so much in this past month that i've had to share quite a few pictures and stories here. first of all, you've really enjoyed hanging out with mom and dad and we've enjoyed hanging out with you. you are quite a lovable baby full of sweet smiles and giggles. in fact, your first real laugh was this month. you laughed at mamo twice on our way to the store. it was a wednesday, november 11th. what a beautiful sound it was! mamo has quite the bragging rights on that one.

we've decided you're the perfect mix of ellie and gray. you are still very particular about certain things. when you want something, you want it now. but then again, there are times of total chillness. :) gray is really laid back and we definitely need that side of you sometimes. you're amazing when we're out and about. sometimes you don't like to stay in your stroller but are perfectly content to continue shopping as long as you are in someone's arms where you can look around and take everything in. thanks for that, by the way, cause it's time for christmas shopping!you experienced your first halloween this month as well. handling it like a champ, you were a green, slithery dragon. or lizard. we can't decide which it is. i first looked at your costume and thought there was no way you'd fit in it. it looked huge! i was so sad when you fit nicely. i was so proud of you when you didn't even complain that you didn't get candy like the other trick-or-treaters. great job!

jules found you to be very interesting in that thing.

we realized that you've been crying in the car lately because you don't like to listen to mama's country music channels. sorry about that but i didn't know you were so punk...

i was changing your outfit one cold day when daddy called to us from outside. i bundled you up in our blanket and walked out. you loved it so much that you just played and played in there for quite a while. see...chillness.in your new relaxed attitude, you've managed to find your tongue. you stick it out if someone does the same to you. you slobber....all the time. everywhere.

your tongue is second in interest to nothing but your hands. you bite them, suck on your fingers and grab everything in sight. you still have a bit more coordinating to do with toys that are far away from you, but you're working on it!

one of your most favorite things to do is watch tv. uh oh. you'll even stop eating sometimes, turn around and watch the tv. there have been times i've had to turn the tv off just make you focus. pretty sad, little boy. pretty sad. :) but honestly, sometimes very helpful. you're really good with your timing and wake from a nap right in the middle of dinner preparations...and then...the tv saves dinner.

mama's camera has become part of your environment and you humor me most of the time. the flash doesn't scare you like it used to. now you just stare into the camera. it's like you're thinking, "alright lady, just take your pictures, get it over with and then back up. you're a little close with that thing."

you still hold your hands together all the time. in the mornings, you'll make the biggest stretch, then calmly bring your hands down and place them together under your chin.

still lovin' the swaddle and the swing.

this month we went to a retreat with the saf ladies that mamo organizes each year. you were WONDERFUL! you slept so well and let everyone hold you and love on you. you stole the hearts of every woman there. plus-you gave me some much needed time with Jesus. thanks for being such a good boy!

nanny discovered that you like to have your legs rubbed just like i did when i was a baby. you may look just like your daddy but i guess i get to have a little part of you. :)

we spent a few days in sanangelo after the retreat and you and pa hung out in your stripes. what a striking pair the two of you are. you love your pa so much. he holds you just the way you like. you lean your back against his chest, perch on his arm and have his other big hand placed against your tummy. you get to see the world and feel safe and secure all at the same time. you love it.

you still really enjoy your bath time. you can be crying but as soon as i walk into your bathroom and turn on the light, all unhappiness vanishes. you'll even lay on the rug forever if you hear the water running. it's a nice bonding time for us! you've taken a few baths with daddy too. that's way more fun because you get to move around in the water a lot more. and your little body is just too cute! what a tiny hiney!

this month you've started doing one of my most favorite things. you look at whoever is holding you and talking to you. you used to smile and enjoy being talked to but if i was holding you, you'd look anywhere but at my face. now, you lean back just a tad and stare into my eyes, or daddy's eyes, or mamo's eyes. talk about feeling special. wow!

you are a wonderful baby boy and i'm loving every single minute of this life.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

our mom's group had a baby boo party for halloween. the plan was to have all the babies dress up in their halloween costumes but it didn't quite happen. it was such a fun get together, as they always are!

melissa and jude

alli and sophia

rikki and michaeldavid!

yummy mix

mummies! so cute!there was a lot of other food too but the camera missed it...bummer.

jude brought halloween gifts for all of his buddies.

the kiddos: bella,sophia, michaeldavid, miller and jude

sophia really love bella's ballerina costume.

sweet cheeks

buddies miller and jude

someone always needs to get annoyed with the camera. if someone doesn't, it means you haven't taken enough pictures. thanks, miller! :)

after the party and a long nap later, md was stylin' in his "i love mummy" onsie and socks!

i waited too long to plan michael a bday party. i was waiting on him to tell me who to invite, which he never did. i should've known to just plan without him. most men, the men in my family anyway, don't want to have too much to do with planning. they'd just rather you plan it for them.

anyway, the family came down for the event and a few friends came over. we had a great time and great food. we had fajitas and all the fixens. michael made the fajitas (yes, he had to cook for his own bday!) on the new grill i got him. i made everything else! it was so good!

we had a great time and appreciate everyone taking the time to come and show their love.

michael-you are the love of my life. i can't imagine what i would do without you. you make me so infinitely happy. i hope you enjoyed your bday, old man! :) i look forward to growing old with you. it's gonna take me a while to catch up though. i want you to always know how much you mean to me. i love you-wifey.

after church today, michael and i ran an errand and headed home with a screaming child. i fed md, changed his diaper, swaddled him and put him in his swing. he doesn't usually sleep right after eating, but i woke him from his nap a couple of hours early so we could go to church. plus-he was falling asleep during his lunch.

of course, as soon as his fanny hit the back of the swing, he started talking and smiling. since michael was bringing our lunch into the living room at that very moment, i left md happily cooing as he made himself dizzy staring at the lamp while swaying to and fro.

halfway through our lunch, michaeldavid decided to play his first trick on his dad.

"knock. knock."

michael gets up from his chair and starts heading to the door. "someone knocking on the door?"

with a laugh i answer no and turn to look at md. michael stops mid stride, awestruck..."what was it?...poop?!"

md proves that i was telling the truth with the still echoing sounds from below and the look of contentment on his sweet face. i'm sure this is the first of many tricks to come from that little boy! :)